Ending Myanmar Visit, McCain Urges Democratic Reform

BANGKOK — Ending a three-day visit to Myanmar, Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, warned the country’s leaders that “the winds of change” now blowing in the Middle East could spread if governments do not listen to the needs of their people.

“Governments that shun evolutionary reforms now will eventually face revolutionary change later,” Mr. McCain told reporters at a news conference in the main city, Yangon, according to wire service reports.

“Aung San Suu Kyi’s last attempt to travel freely was marred by violence, and the new government’s ability and willingness to prevent a similar outcome this time will be an important test of their desire for change,” Mr. McCain said.

In 2003, Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi’s convoy was attacked in what some of her supporters believe was an assassination attempt organized by the government. She was returned to house arrest after just a year of freedom.

Although the military remains in control in Myanmar, Mr. McCain said a civilian government elected in November “represents some change from the past, and one illustration of this change was their willingness to allow me to return to this country after 15 years worth of attempts to do so on my part were rejected.”